shipper (n.): a person who wants two characters to get together and/or shows support for two characters already together.

Books, movies, television–there’s no limit to the type of entertainment shippers devote themselves to. Some wanted Ross and Rachel to date, other shippers waited for Harry and Hermione to pair up and of course others still were pining for Chuck and Blair to make it official.

Tomorrow we’ll finally reveal which pre-nominees made the People’s Choice Awards ballot for Favorite On-Screen Chemistry, but before that, it’s worth knowing what truly defines a shipper. What makes him/her so passionate about two characters?

First it starts with a dedication to the series. Shippers are so intimately acquainted with a show’s character set that they feel as though they have a right to play matchmaker. They know who meshes well together and who should remain friends. These are the people who always knew Rachel and Ross were a much better pairing than, say, Ross and Julie, or worse, Rachel and Paolo on Friends.

But shippers also have to stay upbeat even after the deed has been done. Often the build-up is the best part of being a shipper. Anxiously waiting for a couple to kiss or at least realize their friendship has become something more is what these shippers watch for. Once that moment has arrived, a true shipper keeps their eyes on a prize. After all, two characters can always have a falling out. (“We were on a break!”)

Do you consider yourself a shipper? Which pop culture couple turned you into a shipper? And which couple have you fought the hardest for? Tune in tomorrow to find out which TV couples picked up nominations for Favorite On-Screen Chemistry!

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are looking to exchange techniques with others, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.

The X-Files started it all for me. I ship other couples, but no other the way I ship Mulder and Scully. They are the original UST and best chemistry on tv ever. Most tv couples try and copy them to appeal the audience.

Klaine are best on screen chemistry .darren and chris friendship is just great there both amazing actors and singers along with other glee cast members :) and there’s not enough words in the dictionary to describe klaine as a couple there just great and they mean so many things to different glee fans weather there gay or straight people can relate to them one way or the other :)

I’m shipping Derek and Stiles like FedEx. The fact that they have a chance depending on where the plot takes Jeff apparently makes me so excited I get butterflies in my stomach because that’s happening. The organic way their chemistry built up, and now some really intimate moments in Season 3A. I’m swooning.

I can’t get past Crowley/Castiel or Crowley/Sam on Supernatural. That’s really my interest. Luckily Crowley and Castiel are together…and maybe ‘together’…a whole season. (That’s a whole lot of double entendre otherwise. Not to mention Misha and Mark saying if Dean and Cas don’t get together they already have a romantic setup at a convention. Yep. Now angry divorcees.)

John and Dorian on Almost Human make a great pair, although I want them to develop through interactions and relationships with characters besides each other. (I’d like to see Dorian have no sexual orientation, I guess we’ll see.)

Chandler and Monica I shipped and was fulfilled. Rachel and Joey, sadly, that was not. Fleur and Bill from Harry Potter. I shipped them before they actually got together. VICTORY. Rose and Nine. Anakin/Obi-Wan/Padme (luckily the novelization of Revenge of the Sith actually has this). Tony and Pepper. Also Thor and Loki. Spock and McCoy in the original series. Spock and Uhura in the new one! (And McCoy/Kirk.) Legolas/Gimli since I was quite young. Jack/Elizabeth in Pirates of the Caribbean. I can go on but imma stop now.

PCA please reveal the amount of votes for each nominee. Idk why I’m reading all the SPN comments (because I understand how people would get angry over this issue), but I’m getting awfully sick of them. (Not SPN just all the complaints about the voting)
SO for the love of god make everyone happy and reveal the numbers. Either now or at the end of the 2014 PCAs.
Thanks much. On another note, I totally ship Castle and Beckett CASKETT 4 EVER <33

@Pon That’s what all of the destiel shippers are asking for as well. We would LOVE to see the numbers. If we did not make it, then I for one will stop complaining. If the voting was actually fair and we didn’t make it because we didn’t have enough votes, then I congratulate the people that did make it. I personally think that Destiel DID make it but was left out of the final round for whatever reason. But maybe I’m wrong. We’ll only know if we actually see the vote numbers.

BRITTANA! BRITTANA! BRITTANA! Brittany and Santana from glee. They didn’t get nominated but their offscreen friendship was the catylist for Brittana ever being a couple. Truest ship on t.v. Based on friendship and love. BRITTANA IS ENDGAME!!!

Well, in all my 19 years, I sure have had a lot of ships. But when I became aware of “shippers”, “OTPs”, and “fangirling/fanboying” was with Romitri, Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy. And with Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters coming out February 14, 2014, it’ll become an On-Screen pairing not just an On-Page one! :)

I’m definitely a shipper, for me Delena has a great chemistry! But also Sam and Dean Winchester, whose chemistry goes clearly beyond normal brothers relationship! Then there are Kurt and Blaine from Glee (the proposal was great!), and Stiles and Derek from Teen Wolf!
Shipping is really a life-changing hobby!

Dean and Castiel?????? It’s all Sam and Dean!!!. The onscreen chemistry is so intense, it’s like they really are brothers, not just playing them. Dean has never given me any indications that he is, in ANY way, shape, or form, attracted to men!

The first time I saw myself as a shipper was after I realized how amazing the chemistry between Dean and Cas in Supernatural was, from the very first moment they met. I love them both, and I love my ship.

Dean and Cas- destiel. There’s no way you can tell me they don’t love each other. I don’t ship them to see two men have sex, I ship them because they love each other. You can see it in their hidden looks and whispered words. You can see it in their actions and intense gazes. That? That’s love

Destiel by far. They’ve got the best history you could ask for and honestly, an angel and a human who were never supposed to fall in love? The whole forbidden love concept? That’s what I see, but I don’t ship them simply because I want to see two men have sex; I ship them because they love each other. You can see it in their hidden looks and whispered words. You can see it in their actions and their intense gazes. To me, what they have? That’s love

My shipper days started with Klaroline which is now my favorite OTP. No other shipp moves me like they do. No matter how many shipps I will have non of them will ever be that deep as my Klaroline shipp. No matter what happens to them my heart will always and forever belong to them. ;)

Now, I’m not usually the kind of person who supports “slash” pairings. Usually, if a pairing isn’t blatantly hinted at becoming canon eventually, I don’t ship it.
Dean and Castiel was a game-changer for me. I’ll admit that at first, I didn’t really see any romantic subtext to their relationship.
What really made me take a step back and look at them differently was when I read a comment online pointing out that if Cas was a woman, we wouldn’t even be debating this issue. Destiel would have become canon already.
The chemistry that Dean and Cas have on screen is something that I really wish the writers on SPN would just go with.
What Dean and Cas have is a relationship that transcends a platonic friendship, and I would really like to see them take that next step and become a romantic pairing.

You talk about shipping and then lie about the results of “best onscreen chemistry” you know who the biggest shippers on the internet are? Most people would probably say destiel. Or at least include them in the top 5. All these people aren’t delusional or “crazy shippers”, they can just see chemistry for what it is.

My first shipping experience wasn’t with a TV-show, It was Drarry (Harry/Draco from the Harry Potter series) it was some pretty intense moments there!

I wouldn’t really call myself shipper, I don’t really ship that much. There’s only 4 ships that comes to mind and it’s more like I would prefer for them to be together but it’s not going to happen so yeah, that’s it. That’s one of the reasons why Destiel hurts so much, it could happen! And should happen!

There was a time when I thought I had grown away from it, that it was a teenage/child pace. Then Supernatural came a long and yeah, I say that I figured that I wasn’t that much of a grown up as I thought I was. ;) Destiel, is so obvious that it hurts!

Destiel is my OTP. All other ships that I ever shipped fades in their shadow!

I’m here to declare my love to the INCREDIBLE on-screen chemistry that Supernatural characters Dean Winchester and Castiel share. I genuinely can’t understand why they weren’t included. The characters indeed share a profound bond. I guess you could call me a shipper, and I too ship based on chemistry, not sexuality or gender. People might disagree on shipping for example Sherlock and Irene Adler, but they wouldn’t deny it or bash it, like shipping Dean and Castiel, and this saddens me. “Destiel” is also incredibly important to the LGBT community, and it’s not just about shipping, and it shouldn’t be reduced to that.

Well what do you know.. Dean and Cas got (again) most of the votes here but aren’t up for a PCA. No picking or choosing here, nope, nothing like that.
These awards are a farce. They’ve already decided who was in or out regardless of how many votes there were.

I have to say that Dean and Castiel from Supernatural has the best on-screen chemistry I’ve seen in any T.V. shows. I think the only reason people vote for others is because they haven’t watched Supernatural.

To me the characters need history, they need to have walked through fire and come out on the other side together. And no ship categorizes that better than Destiel. Castiel fought all of hell and rebelled against heaven simply to save one good man. Dean hunted through Purgatory which (in his own words) was 360 degree combat just to find the angel that had come to mean so much to him. There’s chemistry right from the get go but the seasons as of late their feelings for each other are truly showing.

I turned into a shipper over Destiel!! I think I actually shipped it before I started watching SPN, because of a gifset that a friend showed me. My reaction was, “Wait, you mean they’re not together??” Destiel is my favorite because the story isn’t overrun by their feelings for each other, but at the same time the feelings are so obvious that almost every character they interact with makes some sort of quip abou them being together. I just DASLHFALKJFHSKFHASLKFJHSDFJDKFHALKJFHDS Destiel is amazing.

This is a nice article that finally gives “shippers” respect. (I think we’ve infiltrated the media) I began shipping with Buffy and Angel (let’s not talk about how long ago that was).

Now I and many fight for Dean and Castiel on Supernatural. AS I think it is obvious from the comments above we fight tooth and nail for recognition. This is the first time we’ve lost all year and I think that really says something. The Destiel fandom is huge and vocal. We attack every poll like it is an olypic sport in order to try and reach the people that run the show and make the decisions.

I absolutely adore the pairing, it is something deep and complex and ready to be on screen canon. Many people ship it for many different reasons. From LBGT+ representation that isn’t a comedy to the on screen chemistry Misha and Jensen have to the craving of a slow romantic buildup. There are so many “forced” romantic relationships in modern television that the fans are craving something deeper and more real. We believe that we have found that in Dean and Castiel. It’s difficult to watch the show when they randomly throw in romantic interests that don’t even last an episode and hold out on the pay off of Destiel.

I know most of the votes that originally made this category official were from Destiel shippers and I know that we busted our asses voting for them in both rounds. Maybe a non canon ship just didn’t stand a chance or maybe we didn’t write their names in in such a way that the program could pick them up.

Who knows but, I will never stop fighting for this ship and I still have faith that they will finally come together in season 10 and be canon.

I love this article! I was really pleased to see some great choices for Favourite On-Screen Chemistry this year. I think Joan and SHerlock from Elementary is a great pick, and I laughed hard when I saw Penny and Sheldon- although there’s no denying how awesome their scenes together on.
Although it wasn’t on the list, I know a lot of people nominated Dean and Castiel from CW’s Supernatural, and I really hope the PCA takes that into account. Although so many characters have awesome scenes together, the true definiton of chemistry, ‘the complex emotional or psychological interaction between people’ can be no better displayed by these two characters.

I have done the shipper thing but I have been burned with that a lot. Couples that I have rooted for finally get together only to be broken up before the season is over (NCIS, Spin City, Greys Anatomy) sometimes I have stopped watching because of that. Why do the writers do that so much? As for Supernatural I stopped watching into the second season so I do not know what is going on with that. The current couples are Oliver and Felicity (from Arrow), and Booth and Brennan (from Bones).

I was probably a born shipper… Unknowingly, I have been pairing up characters in stories since I could read, watch or understand what characters/stories were… I can remember back to the days when I was a kid pairing up cartoon characters (i shipped tom/jerry)… Then, Buffy and X-files came along and I got to ‘ship’ Spike/Buffy and willow/xander as well as mulder/scully…. then, dark angel happened and although the show was trying to pair logan and max, my heart couldn’t have that, i paired alec/max (still a believer even though it never happened canonly)….i have been steadily shipping a lot of characters over time…anyway, what i am trying to say is, to me, i think it always mattered how much i loved a character to start pairing them up with someone…

However, having said all this, me being a shipper had never been life-changing until season 4 of one of the greatest/most creative tv shows in the world ever and the very moment a broken hunter asked a ‘supernatural’ creature of unknown origins who/what he was??? and the said creature, after telling the hunter that he was an angel of the lord, announced ‘I am the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition’… i felt something, something profound and inexplicable just like their bond…some part inside me was sending signals to the shipper part of my brain and heart…but, what all happened after that first meeting defined true love for me in such a way that if anyone were to ever ask me to name the greatest love story to ever exist in all creation, dimensions, wavelengths then my answer would always be, one word, DESTIEL…..

So, this is the reason Dean and Castiel (Supernatural) should win because if they don’t then i don’t think people know what true love is anymore…i will happily sink with this ship and still be praising their love till i drown in the sea of the angst and emotions…

If you post an article about ‘shipping’ and only mention het ships you’re way off the point. Slash ships (M/M) dominate the shipping verse and to blatantly ignore them smells too much of phobia. Of all the ships I encountered in my lifetime, nearly 90 percent were between persons of the same sex, mostly men. If you’re trying to drum up popularity for your awards by roping in shippers, yet all your examples are guy/girl, and canon, you’re doing it wrong.

I need to know if this is a mandate for these awards, if the PCA’s are too heteronormative. I want to put my vote down for Dean and Castiel, who far surpass Ross and Rachel, or Chuck and Blair, or any other fixed canon relationship in the world of shipping in terms of popularity. But I don’t want to waste my time on you and give you hits by advertising your awards to our fellow shippers if you’re going to play by narrow minded rules. Just saying.

The Supernatural fandom and shipping Destiel opened my eyes to some terminology (such as the word ‘ship’ itself) but it’s something I’ve done for years. My first ship was probably Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable ;) they did get together which was awesome. Now I only wish the same for Dean and Cas :3 Far as I’m concerned, it’s canon.

I’ve always been a shipper, I think. Stories have always held a special place in my heart, and for me, shipping is just a natural step in falling in love with them. You get so intimately acquainted with the characters that it’s impossible not to. A good story has characters that become your friends, your family, even your enemies. And who among us doesn’t secretly play matchmaker with the people closest to us?

From the time I was a kid, I was rooting for Aragorn and Arwen, Buttercup and Westley, Fred and Daphne, Harry and Ginny. I got lucky, all my childhood ships were canon as they come. I didn’t know there was a name for it, I was just having fun. It wasn’t until relatively recently that I got deep enough in the world of shipping to really call myself a shipper, and for that, I can thank Dean and Castiel.

Dean and Cas had me right from the beginning, and before I knew it, I was utterly submerged in this fantastic online world of amazing artists and writers and generally ridiculously beautiful people all united by a common passion – the “profound bond”. I was already casually familiar with the concept of fanfiction and the like when I started watching Supernatural, and, well…I had a tumblr, so I knew exactly what I was getting into when the holy tax accountant entered the scene.

And I never looked back. The amount of talent you see from people predominately in high school and college is insane. You see some artists that you just KNOW will get famous in the future, and when a prestigious interviewer asks them how they got their start, they’ll shift a bit in their seat, because their answer has a lot to do with not strictly “safe for work” fanart of a hunter and his guardian angel that they posted online.

And the writing…man, you know you’ve found something special in an author when they can bring an entire fandom to its knees at the mere mention of Elvis, the ocean, or the phrase “See you then” (If you’re reading this, it’s likely you know exactly which fanfic I’m talking about, and I sincerely apologize for ripping open that wound).

Of course, it’s not all about what we produce. The breathtaking artwork and pieces of writing are incredible, no question, but they’re just one byproduct of the community we’ve created. There’s honestly something so beautiful in a group of people coming together just because they love the same thing. There are literally thousands of us, and we are a force of nature if we want to be.

The fact of the matter is, the on-screen chemistry between Dean and Castiel is undeniable. Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins are incredible actors (as well as top-notch human beings), and I have to think that they know what they’re doing to us. And at least some of the writers are in on it, too, if only in a playful way. I mean, minor characters have outright poked fun at the less-than-platonic vibe Dean and Castiel give off, and at one point, Dean was actually scripted to say “I love you” to Cas, even though the line didn’t make the cut. Then there’s the music choices, the camera angles, the romantic tropes they fit down to the letter, the recurring trend of cliffhangers and major plot points revolving around their relationship…and the list goes on.

But whether or not it’s intentional – and I’m inclined to believe that it is, because our cast and crew are definitely talented enough to be aware of what they’re doing – all those responsible deserve commendation for this incredible love story they’ve woven into the hearts of legions upon legions of shippers. We’re not always easy to please, it’s no mean feat to unite so many of us the way Dean and Castiel have.

I’ve sailed on many ships in my long and colorful career of shipping, but I’ve never been so proud to be a member of a crew as I am of this one.

I never believed in chemistry, in love stories. On screen – off screen – it didn’t matter.
I never believed a honest love story could ever be either told or sold, nothing in the thousands of years heavy legacy of human stories ever gave me an example I’d be willing to put faith into.

Until Destiel happened, that is.
What the characters – and thus – the writers – have formed is a relationship so authentic it’s a precedent.
Dean and Cas defy the original plan, they defy whatever obstacles plot has in store, they defy prejudice and lack of faith. After all, I wasn’t born a shipper. I didn’t pledge my allegiance to this ship when I came across it, but when I saw it develop, honestly turn from a platonic love into a romantic need – it took me three seasons to cross the line into supporting from saying “it’s nothing there”. I had no faith, but the show itself had spread its wings on the matter and shoved the faith down my throat whether I wanted it or not. After season 7, I couldn’t argue with facts. Season 8 took it to a whole new level and it became unthinkable to me that season 9 would dare to stop.

And even though everything around the two tries to stop them, again, it won’t succeed.
Not because the destiel shippers are strong, desperate and faithful to the end. No.
It won’t because the characters theselves are a rarity that have a gravity of a black hole, and the only thing they constantly keep pulling towards, is each other. They were build that way – deliberately – through acting, through scripts, through cinematography.
And at this point, there is no other force that could successfully counter that power, nothing believable that could change the collision course of these two hearts.
With all the ground up, with all the traits and paths flawlessly corresponding one to another, it should be obvious, that no matter what choices are made, what details are altered, they would always end up here.

I’ve been shipping couples for years, even when I was kid watching the 90s cartoons and anime… didn’t know there was a word for it then… But for me… I’ve always ended up shipping characters that mean the world to each other, even if it were not viewed romantically through EVERYONES eyes, and I always put the show before the shipping, but having a couple to route for… it just makes the show more intensified.

My current OTP is Dean & Castiel, and when I started watching SPN… I literally marathoned every ep available at the time, that’s all I did in my free time until I finished the series. I went into the show knowing people shipped them, but not getting it… and was watching it purely for the amazing storyline… and then Castiel appeared… and as the episodes went by.. I started noticing something more between the two of them, and the longer they were around each other… no the longer they KNEW each other the more it became, because some of their most telling moments…. are when they are separated.

It’s just so great watching a show or movie where the feelings — well, for lack of a better word — feel so genuine! It’s really, really great. I am hoping Dean x Castiel will get the award for this year! They truly deserve it, amazing chemistry!

I’m here for Destiel. I love it because their chemistry developed naturally, it wasn’t planned, it just happened. Fan love kept Cas on the show and his slow change and eventual siding with humanity was one of the best things about Season 4. And then it just deepened.

If the fact that Cas had to practice killing a thousand Deans (no Sams, no anyone else) and STILL couldn’t kill the real one doesn’t prove it’s love, then I don’t know what does. (Just in comparison: a bit of shouting and manhandling from Naomi was enough to force him to kill Samandriel, his brother whom he wanted to save. So don’t even come at me with the “it’s just brotherly and platonic!” crap.)

I wasn’t really a shipper until Destiel. i love these two and i doubt i’ll ever stop fighting for them. Their story is beautiful, realistic, they have a lot of chemistry. Dean and Cas are perfect for each other. They makes each other happy. How many times we’ve seen Dean smiling because of Cas? They fight for each other, they care for each other all the time. They’re in love. Definitely.

I ship Dean and Castiel also known as Destiel from Supernatural. The chemistry between the two is amazing, I can’t really understand how anybody (the writers, the viewers) can not see it. Destiel definitely deserves the award for Favorite onscreen chemistry.

I’m a shipper by definition given; I’m not an obsessive, segregating shipper however. If a relationship looks good enough in portrayal, then I can support it e.g. Nolan and Emily. Despite it being platonic, when put forward as erotic,I can understand how or why they should be together.
Personal OTPs include Liz and Max, Michael and Maria, Izzy and Alex(Roswell), Hayley and Nathan, Lucas and Peyton, Brooke and Peyton, Brooke and Lucas(OTH), Amy and Ephram, Dr. Brown and Nina, Amy’s parents(Everwood), Veronica and Logan, Serena and Dan, Blair and Dan, Serena and Nate,Dan and Chuck, Rufus and Lily(Gossip Girl), Dig and Oliver and Felicity(Arrow), Bonnie and Damon, Tyler and Caroline(TVD), Bonnie and Jax(TVD/SoA),Olitz, JT and Tess, Cat and Gabriel, VinCat(BatB)

My first ship was Grissom & Sarah, from CSI.
Now I ship Destiel, because of their story and chemistry…and even though I’m etero&married, I think that’s time to show in tv that even a “not so gay” type of man, like Dean, can fall in love with a whole person, not just a body. It would be a huge thing, for many people. I hope that we can vote for Dean and Castiel here.

I’ve shipped a lot of ships but never one as much as Destiel. There is something so amazing about their story. I think we can all agree that it wasn’t planned but Jensen and Misha have such amazing chemistry and their wonderful story just pulled viewers in! They have everything you could want in a ship and every scene with them pulls at my heartstrings and makes me fall more and more in love. I know it will be a tough road but I will keep fighting for canon Destiel! For the greatest love story ever told! :)

My firs ship was Jessi and James, from Pokemon xD
My current ship is Dean and Castiel (Destiel). Their relationship is so deep and beautiful, they make me believe in true love <3 I hope they become canon :)

I never knew what shipping was or what a shipper is until I fall in love with Dean and Castiel. My whole world view changed of shipping is. I find it so cool that they happen to be both guys, and not the typical one girl and one boy. I fall in love with their chemistry and their story, and it shouldn’t matter that it’s two guys. I find it to be so awesome how people can relate to their friendship/relationship even if they are both two dudes. I love to see them on the tv screen, and it makes me so happy to see how far they have come together.

Klaroline all the way!
Its the ship that sails itself, it has spawned its own massive fan fiction niche,
twitter trends, websites, online magazines and countless blogs. But don’t be fooled into thinking that its just a vocal minority, because rather it is a thriving community!

I’d never considered myself a shipper, I didn’t even know what it was until Glee and Kurt&Blaine. But I guess I’ve done it a lot over the years Piper&Leo, Prue&Andy, Phoebe&Coop, Spike&Buffy, Willow&Tara, Lucas&Peyton, Nathan&Haley, Clay&Quinn, Veronica&Logan, Castle&Beckett and Danny&Lindsay to mention a few.

But it wasn’t until Klaine I thought ‘those two are made for each other.’ Unfortunately I joined the fandom after they broke up, but that has lead to an amazing journey for me as a shipper this year, and now they’re engaged. Our fandom is strong and connected and everyone’s very nice, it’s a joy to be a part of.

Klaine is also changing the world, along with other young gay couple on tv now. I know a lot of people that are more open to and fighting for LGBT rights now because of it. And that’s amazing. Glee is about outcasts, and our fandom is full of different, amazing people from all over the world.

I don’t know if we got enough votes to get nominated, but we sure gave it our best, and we will continue if we have the chance.

Once a very long time ago I shipped Mulder and Scully from The X-Files. They were my penultimate couple – I held them so high in terms of well-written, slow build romance that as the years passed I felt I would never again come across something so exceedingly well portrayed in terms of pacing, chemistry and sheer beauty.

Until an angel walked into an abandoned warehouse, blew out every lightbulb in the place and told a hunter who didn’t believe in God that he had gripped him tight and raised his soul from the depths of hell.

Being a shipper means having faith, sometimes in the darkest of places. It means standing behind your pairing in the good times and the bad. It means walking with them through the highs and the heartbreaks – quite often to the point where your heart feels overloaded itself.

And nothing on television today comes close to the profound bond shared by Dean and Castiel of Supernatural. We’ve been watching something special unfold. What lies ahead is an endless realm of possibilities – and for two beings who have fought beside and for each other through heaven, hell, purgatory and everything in between…anything is possible.

I’ve been a shipper for about a year and a half, and I have many ships. But to be honest, I’ve never seen as much chemistry between two characters as much as Dean and Castiel have. I’ve shipped them since season 5, but in season 8 I thought the chemistry between them was becoming more obvious. Destiel is a ship that means a lot to me, I think.

I consider myself a shipper of Dean/Castiel! At first I only noticed the little teases and glances between them as a fun thing, but over the course of Supernatural I started to fall for that dynamic pretty hard. Even now, I hold out hope for them as a canon couple, and support them being able to show that love! It truly is the greatest love story ever told; we are on the precipice and I hope that the writers decide to give it that extra push!

I’ve been a shipper since before I knew what shipping was…my OTP Is definitely Emma Swan and Captain Hook (Captain Swan) from Once Upon a Time they have so much chemistry plus they help each other out and bring out the best in each other

I’ve been a shipper for a few years now. It all started with Johnlock when I started watching BBC Sherlock.

But that didn’t last long.

Destiel, on the other hand, is one of the biggest passions in my life. I’ve been shipping Dean and Cas since I was first introduced to Supernatural over a year ago. None of my ships have ever lasted this long, nor meant this much to me.

I’ve shipped before, but never like I ship for Dean & Castiel. They came together when Supernatural was already three seasons deep and totally changed the show for me. I still loved Sam & Dean as brothers, but Dean & Castiel literally had sparks flying onscreen with a whole new dynamic. Dean & Cas’ Profound Bond captured so many hearts and mine, not least because it was never intended to be. Five seasons later and I remain passionately devoted to an OTP that has endured, stood the test of some rocky TV times and grown all the stronger for having survived. Regardless of onscreen D/C canon, Jensen and Misha created a spark of Supernatural chemistry that keeps Dean & Cas’ flame eternal.

Dean and Cas have something that is so much more than sex and angsty character development; Dean became a believer when Cas came into his life. Cas, after BILLIONS of years of living the same life of following orders, REBELLED, because he knew that Dean was the most beautiful and pure soul he had ever seen. When they found each other, they found purpose; a reason to live beyond Heaven or Hell or this crazy earth. They have each other, and that is and always will be enough for me <3 They don't call it a "profound bond" for nothing!

I’ve been a shipper for over a decade now, well before I knew what shipping was. I’ve been in one fandom or another long enough to see the terms change and the trends shift.

There is no pairing I’ve shipped as hard as Dean and Castiel from Supernatural. Not only do they have immense chemistry, but their story is extremely compelling. The lengths they’ve gone to for one another are incredible. The impact they’ve had on one another’s lives is undeniable. They are happier together than they ever could be apart.

I think most people are shippers on some level, whether they know it or not. My first was probably Samantha and Jack on Stargate SG-1, which I watched as a kid with my parents. Then Dairine and Roshaun from Diane Duane’s Young Wizards books, Romione in Harry Potter, and nowadays Destiel. Dean and Cas have such a powerful relationship–they taught each other so much, and they sacrificed so much for each other, and no matter how hard they try things are never right. Things are never easy, they can’t just be together (and I mean NEAR each other.) But they care so deeply about each other, and have such a profound connection, I think it’s impossible to be invested in the show without being invested in their relationship. Dean inspired Cas to rebel against heaven, teaching him free will, a defining trait of his personality. Cas gave Dean faith through his loyalty and affection, something Dean had never truly had, even in his brother or his father, no matter how much he wanted to have it. They are the most important people in each other’s character development, and each other’s lives (plus Sam for Dean.) To watch the show, to watch their story together unfold, will always be to watch a love story.

I’ve been a shipper for ages, but Dean and Castiel is by far my biggest ship! Despite being a slash couple and despite the fact that it’ll be a long fight before they become canon, I’m always optimistic and I’ll keep fighting for them until the last episode! <3

I’d say being a shipper meant rooting for a cute couple, but let’s be real, I never knew what it meant to be a shipper before I met Dean and Castiel. They changed my life. That clip from 8×02, where Dean finally finds Cas in Purgatory, changed my entire perception. I grew up Catholic in a small town. Embarrassing truthful moment (I am so so sorry): Being gay had been so othered for me, I didn’t think I could ever relate to a gay couple. Though I supported equal rights, I thought gay couples were something I wasn’t meant to personally understand, like a club with a secret handshake. And I had no idea there was anything wrong with this perception.

Then that 8×02 clip showed up on my tumblr dash. I clicked play. Then I clicked play again. And my head tilted slightly to the left. The romantic music. The hug. The way Dean defends Cas when Benny demands an explanation. ‘I prayed to you, Cas, every night.’ ‘I’ve been trying to stay one step ahead of them to keep them away from you.’ The look on Dean’s face. ‘I need you.’ The way Cas says ‘Dean.’ ‘I’m not leaving here without you.’ Not only is this scene swimming in romantic tropes, it is easily the best, most romantic piece of television I have ever seen on cable. It makes my heart flutter just thinking about it, and it was enough to make me realize how very blind I had been.

The reason I thought I couldn’t relate to gay couples was because I thought they were different than straight couples. The truth is, they are 100% the same. Dean and Cas taught me that, and now, not only am I a better person because of it but I’ve come to learn a few things about my own sexuality as well.

If that doesn’t make Dean/Cas, Destiel, a ship – no. If that doesn’t make them the best ship of my life, then I don’t know what a ship is supposed to be. But whatever it is, its not as good as Destiel.

I’ve been a shipper for nigh on twenty years now, I’d say. I probably shipped my first ship ages before I had any idea what that was, back when Star Wars was my life and I was so desperately in love with Leia/Han. I was exactly the right age to be completely obsessed with X-Files while I was in high school, which is of course where the phrase “shipping” was coined in the first place. Oh, but I shipped Mulder and Scully something fierce.

Remus/Sirius was desperately important to me for a pretty long time, and these days Dean/Castiel definitely rules the roost. I’m very unapologetic in my shippy-ness, and I ship pretty unabashedly with whatever my current fandom of choice may be. I’ve never been much dissuaded by the negative perspective a lot of the world tends to take toward shipping – I’ve not harmed, and I’ve not been harmed in return. Shouldn’t that be the way the world turns?

Shipping is about recognizing two characters and how well they fit together. It could be platonic (brOTPs) or it could be romantic (OTPs). With the case of Dean and Castiel from Supernatural, it’s much deeper than the lines the actors say. They really do share a more profound bound, and the chemistry is so apparent and they fit so well together. That really is what shipping is about. So yeah, I definitely consider myself a shipper, because I recognize and support a relationship between two characters.

I think I’ve technically “shipped” things my whole life, even though I didn’t know what it meant until about a year and a half ago. Since I’ve gotten into the whole shipping scene, I’ve had couples I want to be together, couples I’ve loved watching on TV, and so on and so forth. It wasn’t until I started watching Supernatural that I really understood what being a shipper was. The chemistry between Dean and Cas is so tangible and so real that I’ve never seen anything like it on a show before. The way they interact and move around each other is so absolutely genuine. I’ve never fought harder for a TV couple before. I cannot even tell you how many times I have laughed out loud or broken down in tears just filled with such genuine emotion from watching those two idiots together. The chemistry they have is real, thanks to Jensen and Misha of course. When I became involved in this fandom, I also discovered the most dedicated and determined fan base I have ever come across. The true love the SPNFamily has for the show is inspiring and I am so proud to consider myself a part of something so spectacular.

I think that what defines a shipper isn’t the ship itself, but the emotion and dedication that we invest. Many of us are teenagers, many are adults, many are in various other stages of life. We are all busy, we all have our lives. But we find time to root for the inexplicable connection between two characters. To feel and exist alongside them as we share their journeys. But what’s most remarkable is why we stick around. Why would we sit on the edge of our seats week after week late into the night if it wasn’t for the chemistry? The single most important component of any ship. That’s why the SPNFamily is so extensive and supportive and that’s why the Destiel shippers are so dedicated and passionate. We see the chemistry between them and we fight for it because they deserve a chance just as much as we do. The characters are so real for us and they have every right to love and be happy.

Sure, there might be thousands of reasons why the show draws us in and thousands more why we think Dean and Cas are a match made in heaven (excuse the pun), but we wouldn’t stick around if the chemistry wasn’t there. And the amount of passion and support the Destiel shippers have poured out this year should tell you right out that the chemistry IS there and that’s why we keep coming back for more.

Dean and Castiel’s profound bond, even if never acknowldged romantically, is still worth mentioning and will always be there. It can, in no way, be written off. The way they treat each other, the actions taken for one another, and the fact they they are willing to, AND HAVE, died for each other speaks for itself. It doesn’t even matter to me if they decide to blatantly make Destiel canon, kiss, I love you, the whole shebang. Right now there is tension and I feel like they’ve been forced apart. I just want to see the two characters, most of all, comfortable with who they are and where they stand in their relationship. I don’t care what people tell me about there being no obvious signs of a romantic or sexual relationship, I acknowledge that there isn’t anything hugely like that, but there will always be the bond they have from saving each other countless times and relying on the other for nearly anything.

This was not your typical fall, though, as it happened in more than one way.

Not only did the angel Castiel fall from grace, but he did it for love. Every last one of his siblings he has killed; every drop of his blood that’s been shed; every twisted and horrible situation he’s been put through has been for one person – a broken, sad person; the most important person to ever live: Dean Winchester. The moment he laid a hand on the righteous man in Hell, he was lost – but it was worth it to him: “I did it, all of it, for you.”

The love between Dean and Castiel is the kind of love that can defeat every demon in Hell and rise above God in Heaven. And I pray that there will come a day where it will be truly recognized as the beautiful, enchanting, timeless story that it is. Theirs is a story that can warm your heart just as soon as break it, and I would like to thank the PCAs for giving us a chance to give it the recognition it deserves.

I was always a shipper, but never as intensely as I am now thanks to Supernatural. Dean and Cas have had such an amazing dynamic since the start that I just can’t ignore it. To me it is literally the best love story ever told- no one is the lesser/weaker in the relationship, they depend on each other but are strong and independant at the same time, they make each other’s lives better… I can’t even explain it. The chemistry between the actors is great too. It’s kind of sad that if one of them were female they would be together by now, but because they are guys they aren’t. Oh well, I’m still holding out that it will happen someday. And even if it doesn’t, it doesn’t change how perfect they are for each other and how beautiful their relationship is.

I didn’t really believe in the concept of on-screen chemistry until I came across Dean and Castiel. Before it was all just acting, all…meh. Two characters were together because the script said so.

But Dean and Cas? They tore up the script and wrote their own story, because when the two of them are on screen together sparks fly (literally!) and it’s powerful, electric, hypnotizing. They get each other, they’re on the same wavelength, they communicate in a thousand expressions and tiny gestures and they just fit. They always have. There’s something about them that makes you believe.

I didn’t really believe in the concept of on-screen chemistry until I came across Dean and Castiel. Before it was all just acting, all…meh. Two characters were together because the script said so.

But Dean and Cas? They tore up the script and wrote their own story, because when the two of them are on screen together sparks fly (literally!) and it’s powerful, electric, hypnotizing. They get each other, they’re on the same wavelength, they communicate in a thousand expressions and tiny gestures and they just fit. They always have. There’s something about them that makes you believe.

Chemistry comes from pairings that spark and excite. My first real “ship” would have to be Mulder and Scully. I still remember refusing to accept Carter’s early interviews/statements about how they were *not* a couple or going to be, and that die-hard belief paid off. The truth *was* out there.

I still get goosebumps when I watch the episode (way before their relationship canonically crossed the friendship line) where Mulder calls Scully his touchstone… that scene is one of the most tender moments in the entire series.

Dean and Castiel from Supernatural have a similar connection: an epic bond that’s been forged in purgatory, hell, heaven and earth. They *are* each other’s touchstones. Cas tore hell apart to save Dean; Dean ripped through Purgatory to find Cas. There isn’t another relationship arc on TV (now) that I find half as compelling as Dean and Cas.

Such a complex and profound relationship is a rare thing, especially in today’s media. I hope that Supernatural, CW, PCA, and everyone else realizes just how special it is.

Because I believe that Dean and Castiel are all of these lovely things, I am most definitely a shipper. :)

Incredibly I’ve been a shipper my whole life, always shipping together the cartoon characters of how cute would it be to have them fall in love? I think what really defines a shipper is the “ships” you will go down with on tv shows. There are the classic tv pairings such as Lucielle and Ricky, to the modern pairings such as Dean and Castiel. Each couple has different love, different circumstances and I think that’s really what’s so beautiful about being a shipper, is that you see the part of someone being in love with someone maybe before they don’t even know it yet. I have multiple ships ranging from Doctor Who: Ten and Rose, Sherlock: John and Sherlock (Johnlock), Bones: Booth and Bones, Criminal Minds: Morgan and Garcia, Star Trek: Spock and Kirk, and each ship has a different story and different past, but my biggest ship is the beautiful story of Dean Winchester and Castiel (Destiel) in Supernatural.

The hardest ship I’ve fought for is Destiel. In a modern world each year things seem to be getting better for LGBTA community with a gay family together on Modern Family it is bringing the idea of two souls being together regardless of gender. Dean and Castiel not only have this social stamina of gay or bisexual relationships but also the fact that Castiel as an angel is now found questioning everything around him, and possibly questioning the fluidity of sexuality and gender. The journey these two men had fought for each other is enough to make anyone realize it was out of love and not for the principle of it’s the right thing to do. I think with it becoming a very popular ship among millions of fans, it’s a ship we have all put hard work into by dedicating time and our love toward it. It’s really just a fantastic show and it’s a fantastic ship. It’s up to the fans of the show to show the creators, writers and actors what we would like to see happen on the show and I think the fans are doing a fantastic job at it. With the world changing around us it’s time for prime time TV to make a change as well!

Incredibly I’ve been a shipper my whole life, always shipping together the cartoon characters of how cute would it be to have them fall in love? I think what really defines a shipper is the “ships” you will go down with on tv shows. There are the classic tv pairings such as Lucielle and Ricky, to the modern pairings such as Dean and Castiel. Each couple has different love, different circumstances and I think that’s really what’s so beautiful about being a shipper, is that you see the part of someone being in love with someone maybe before they don’t even know it yet. I have multiple ships ranging from Doctor Who: Ten and Rose, Sherlock: John and Sherlock (Johnlock), Bones: Booth and Bones, Criminal Minds: Morgan and Garcia, Star Trek: Spock and Kirk, and each ship has a different story and different past, but my biggest ship is the beautiful story of Dean Winchester and Castiel (Destiel) in Supernatural.

The hardest ship I’ve fought for is Destiel. In a modern world each year things seem to be getting better for LGBTA community with a gay family together on Modern Family it is bringing the idea of two souls being together regardless of gender. Dean and Castiel not only have this social stamina of gay or bisexual relationships but also the fact that Castiel as an angel is now found questioning everything around him, and possibly questioning the fluidity of sexuality and gender. The journey these two men had fought for each other is enough to make anyone realize it was out of love and not for the principle of it’s the right thing to do. I think with it becoming a very popular ship among millions of fans, it’s a ship we have all put hard work into by dedicating time and our love toward it. It’s really just a fantastic show and it’s a fantastic ship. It’s up to the fans of the show to show the creators, writers and actors what we would like to see happen on the show and I think the fans are doing a fantastic job at it. With the world changing around us it’s time for prime time TV to make a change as well!

Ha, I was definitely a hardcore Ross and Rachel shipper before I knew what the term shipper meant (found that out during the epic Lost shipper wars- yeah team Jate!) Some characters just have that magic thing that makes you want to reach into the T.V. and give them that final push. Now kiss! Ha. For the purposes of this poll, for me it’s Dean and Cas on Supernatural. Can love bring together an uber macho demon and monster hunter and an angellic wavelength of celestial intent who sometimes masquerades as a trenchcoated tax accountant? Yes, it can.

I have been a shipper all of my life unknowingly. From starting off with Ross and Rachel, to shipping Naruto and Sasuke (from Naruto) i have always unknowingly paired up people in my mind. Shortly after joining Tumbler and getting into the Supernatural series I found myself once again shipping a new pair (new to me at least). I found myself falling in love with the Destiel Fandom (Dean and Castiel). I’m not sure if it was the fact that they went to Hell and back for each other or if it was that fact that they always worked harder for each other but I couldn’t stop myself from falling for this pairing. While some people might not see it, others do and they get very serious about it (and you really don’t want to mess with some of those fans, we’re a bit crazy at times :)).

I am definitely a shipper and I think my first ship ever (without me knowing what shipping was anyway) was probably Booth and Brennan (from Bones). However, my favorite ship right now is probably Dean and Castiel (from Supernatural, which I love how half the commenters on here ship them too XD) because there’s just so much potential there. I mean, Castiel is an angel who rebelled against Heaven to save Dean from Hell. He’s the only one that Dean ever has any faith in or prays to. I mean, yeah he has faith in Sam, but it’s not the same thing. They’ve grown so close over the seasons and their chemistry is something that’s impossible to deny.

Other than that, I also ship Oliver and Felicity (from Arrow), because they’re just too cute. I love how Felicity is always saying things to Oliver and then is like “Oops did I say that out loud?” XD I think that if they ever got together they’d be a really adorable couple.

Jensen and Misha have a lot of chemistry, if it wasn’t because of it (and Misha’s charisma and talent of course), Cas would’ve been killed four seasons ago. So yeah, this is why I think Dean/Cas chemistry kills it ;)

What I think defines a shipper is someone who notices the chemistry and underlying love of two characters. Someone who sees that fire barely sizzling underneath the skin whenever these two characters are interacting on screen.

Reason I ship Destiel (Dean & Castiel) versus any other ship. Their love doesn’t even need to be canon to see these two care deeply about one another. I mean, the way Dean reacted to Castiel dying in episode 9.03 is just another steam of their love escaping to the surface. Pretty soon it’s going to get out of control and it’s going to need to be addressed.

Even these two actors had such electric chemistry that even people not with ‘shipping goggles’ are obviously aware of these two. Their love transcends everything, even gender or sexual preference. And that is why I ship Destiel with every fiber of my being.

I do, unfortunately, consider myself a shipper. It wasn’t something I really wanted, to be honest. Just over a year ago I did not consider myself a shipper and didn’t even want to ship. But then I watched Supernatural. So I suppose I should Dean & Castiel (Destiel) turned me into a shipper despite the fact I DID NOT want to ship (Unfortunately, there are no ways to turn off my feelings and how I feel about this).
But eh, I’ve sort of just accepted it. Now I ship pretty much anything, but Dean and Cas is the one ship that reigns all ships for me and I would fight for it with my dying breath.
Although, I would also fight for Stiles/Derek, Spock/Kirk, Klaus/Caroline and Oliver/Felicity but not as passionately as I would with Dean and Cas. Those two are seriously killing me and they would be beautiful together.

Like so many, I started shipping when I watched Supernatural and saw Jensen/Misha on screen. The chemistry they have, and the way they portray Dean and Castiel, is really beautiful to watch. I’d even say it’s one of the best, if not the best, love stories ever told.

I was never a shipper until I met Dean & Castiel. Their relationship is deeper and more profound then any canon couple on TV. They have literally fought for each other Heaven, Hell and Purgatory and they’re still going on Earth. Although it wasn’t intended for them to become ‘Destiel’, the show has found something most shows lack in their relationships. If they don’t pick up the chance, they really are losing out. DEAN & CASTIEL FOR BEST ON SCREEN CHEMISTRY

I’ve always been a hardcore shipper of my OTPs, and Destiel (Dean and Castiel, Supernatural) just took my breath away. I might have sold my soul to that ship because whether I put on my shipping goggles or not, I can see the love that they have for each other. Platonic or romantic, there is no doubt that they care for one another. It’s one of the greatest love stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing, and Jensen and Misha’s chemistry just sends sparks flying.

It’s not a matter of Destiel isn’t canon or they’re both males or any of other of that crap because their love is too pure and too beautiful. Destiel shippers have went through so much shit fighting for this ship because we all see something of great potential and love it’s so painful it’s not yet canon.

I never really considered myself a shipper, in the beginning. I pretty much just took what the television show or book was telling me.

And then Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls showed me what “Epic” love was all about.

And then Dean Winchester and Castiel upped the ante on “spanning years and continents, lives ruined, bloodshed, epic” by giving me a relationship that developed naturally and spanned the Earth, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory.

Like Veronica and Logan, it is by no means a fairytale romance: but it’s some of the most compelling television I’ve ever seen, and it pushes the boundaries of contemporary storytelling, challenges expectations, and created a “profound bond” that captivated the internet and eventually won me over despite myself.

I ship it. And boy do I ship it.

So many relationships on TV, they’re almost formulaic. You know as soon as these characters are introduced who they’re going to end up with, who you’re supposed to cheer for them to be with.

Not so with any of my favorites.

My favorite stories arise out of the chemistry of the actors, our of the development of the characters, and they push the storyline in directions you never would have anticipated.

Logan and Veronica did that for Veronica Mars.

And Dean and Castiel’s relationship has been pivotal to the last several seasons of the show.

It keeps me tuning in, keeps the story fresh, and the actors get out there and sell that emotion every single scene.

“First it starts with a dedication to the series. Shippers are so intimately acquainted with a show’s character set that they feel as though they have a right to play matchmaker.”

I have to disagree with this. Often times shippers become fans only of their ship and not the show itself. They often manipulate moments of the show to suit their needs and disregard canonical parts of the show. As someone who has shipped for years, shipping it’s less about the show and more about the desire to get what you want no matter what.

Interesting article. I appreciate the definition of shipper that you included here, but I think that the term extends far beyond just that definition or maybe just that is a very simplistic definition of shipper, because even among those of us that declare ourselves as shippers, there are so many differences in how we see shipping.

For myself, I do think of myself as a shipper, but there are many levels to shipping for me. There are some characters that I think would make cute couples, but I don’t feel invested in their relationships. Then there are characters that I ship in a platonic way (known often as brotps) that I don’t necessarily want to see them in a romantic relationship but I love the friendship between the characters and want more of those characters together. Then there are some relationships that I fall in love with and become completely invested in. I once heard shipping described on Tumblr as someone being in love with love and that seemed like a great description to me because I literally fall in love with the love that I see between characters or the potential for love that I see between characters. It is these types of relationships that I fall in love with that often become my “OTPS” (one true pairings).

When I really think back on it, I suppose that I was really a shipper before I ever even knew what a shipper was. Back when I was just in middle school and rushed home after school every day to watch Saved By the Bell, I always knew that Zack and Kelly belonged together no matter what and when they finally tied the knot in Vegas, it was fantastic. When I read Harry Potter, I cheered on as Ginny Weasley finally captured Harry’s attention and as Ron and Hermione kissed for the first time. I was heartbroken by the tumultuous relationship between Buffy and Spike.

But recently, the relationship that has touched my heart the most has been the one between an angel and a hunter on a little show called Supernatural. I personally feel quite sure that a relationship between Dean and Castiel was never planned and that the potential that fans saw in the pairing, the chemistry between them, probably caught a lot of people off-guard. It was a love story that was maybe supposed to never happen, but yet as their profound bond has progressed through the past few seasons of Supernatural it has been amazing to watch and has inspired me to fight harder for this couple than for any other couple that I have ever shipped. I believe that this is a love story that deserves to be told, that deserves to be given attention. I have fought and will fight for Dean & Castiel because I believe in them…I believe in their story, their relationship, their profound bond, and their chemistry and I really hope for a chance to spend the next month of my life fighting for them by giving them my vote over and over in the PCA voting.

I’m definitely a shipper. I’ve been in many a fandom for many a show and shipped many a ship, haha.
But the couple I’ve rooted for the hardest are Dean & Castiel from Supernatural. Their relationship is one of the deepest and most emotional stories I’ve ever seen told on television.

From Castiel throwing away everything he’d ever been taught for Dean, sacrificing not only his preconceived thoughts on destiny, but his family, and most importantly his LIFE-

to Dean, a faithless man, starting to pray, not to God, or to heaven in its entirety, but to Castiel; and then to Dean risking his life in a horribly dangerous place, even though he had a way out, just so that he could find Castiel and bring him back home with him.

From the moment they met, Dean unaware, and stabbing Castiel in the chest, and Castiel, unfazed, telling Dean that Good Things Do Happen. That Castiel pulled dean out of HELL, because he deserved to be saved.
To Dean, on his knees, beaten and bloodied, by a possessed hand of Castiel himself, telling Castiel that he’s family; that he NEEDS him. And that being the one thing that was able to break the possessive hold over Cas’ brain, and he was able to apologize and heal Dean once again.

Their story is painful and it hurts and it’s so, so messy, but with all of its flaws, comes its perfection.

I believe whole-heartedly in the love they have for one another, and I’ve never seen another love like it on television, which makes me love it all the more.

I’m a shipper, but don’t assume that’s all I’m watching for. I’ve always loved sci-fi and fantasy shows, from Star Trek TOS onwards. I don’t watch just for the ships, but sometimes there’s crackling chemistry that just draws me in. Such as between Dean and Castiel on Supernatural. I have never fought harder for a ship or believed in it more. I don’t ship them because they’re cute together (although they are). I ship them because their chemistry is unbelivable, thanks to actors Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins, and because their story is the most beautiful and moving love story I’ve ever seen on TV.

I never thought I would be a shipper and get so invested in what happens to a couple of fictional TV characters. So, it was with some surprise when I found myself so passionate about Dean and Castiel on Supernatural. Regardless if you see their bond as potentially romantic or strictly on the platonic level, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins always seem to bring out the best in each other with their scenes together. In the end it was the sheer breadth and epic scope of their story that captured my imagination and swept me away. Castiel, once a powerful, ageless, ancient being of light and fire rebelled against heaven, his own people because a mortal convinced him it was the right thing to do, and this human, Dean Winchester, was a man broken and without faith. Ironically in an earlier episode he disparaged the very idea that angels could exist only to find himself praying to one regularly and leaning on him and counting him as a part of his family. Either way you interpret it, theirs is a beautiful story of faith and friendship that continues to survive and endure against stunning odds.

I definitely consider myself a shipper. I’ve been one for a very long time so I honestly don’t recall the first pairing I really got into, but I do know the one I’ve fought the hardest for. Castiel and Dean Winchester from Supernatural.

Those two boys are amazing. They’ve been through so much but at the end of the day, they still know that they have each other’s backs. No matter what happens. I can’t tell you how much I want to see them get together on the show. I just don’t have words to express it. Not only would they be wonderful together, but I also believe it would be a huge sign of the show’s (and the CW’s) support of the LGBT community.

Dean and Cas, even though they aren’t together, have more chemistry than a lot of couples I see on other shows that have been together for years and it just boggles my mind. The way Misha Collins and Jensen Ackles interact with each other as their characters is just electric and bonding together to help get this pairing recognized has brought thousands of us in the fandom together.

We’ve won so many polls and such on the internet this year to show our support of Destiel and that’s why we’re hoping for them to be included in the PCAs this year. It would be wonderful if they were.

I probably was a shipper before knowing what “shipping” means. I liked Rose and the Doctor, Blair and Chuck from Gossip Girl and a lot of other couples. But the ship that made me “true shipper” is Destiel (Dean and Cas from Supernatural). I was never so invested and passionate about fictional characters, their story is very beautiful and epic (this is the story of the man afraid of flying and the angel afraid of falling who met in the middle :). It’s also beautiful because of it how it unites people. About fighting… I don’t know any other ship that needs more fighting than Destiel. Fighting for Misha, for profound bond, for simply being respected. But sadly Destiel shippers are used to do it every day :). I hope that Jensen and Misha will be included in this category, their chemistry really deserves it!

I was never a shipper until Dean & Castiel from Supernatural. I liked Ross & Rachel, Hermione & Ron, Katniss & Peeta, but I would have never fought for them. I do it for Dean & Castiel because they have the most realistic and beautiful love story I have ever seen on television. Their “profound bond” is undeniable and I believe it’s time for people to acknowledge male/male chemistry just as mush as female/male. The chemistry Dean & Cas have (thanks to the wonderful performance of Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins) is way more believable than some f/m popular couples on other TV shows or movies. Hopefully, PCA won’t continue to ignore us. There are thousands of Dean & Cas (aka Destiel) shippers; we deserve this nomination! Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s!

Mulder & Scully started it for me (and I learned what it meant to be “in it for the long haul”) and from then on, there was no stopping. Over the years of shipping everyone from Chloe and Lex (Smallville) to my current die-hard ship Oliver & Felicity (Arrow), I’ve learned if nothing else, it’s the shippers’ themselves in many fandoms that make the whole stressful, frustrating, exciting process worthwhile, even if your ship sails long before you want it to (and most of mine, sadly, have). At least when it does there are others out there to console you with fanfiction, fan videos, and lots of Tumblr GIF’s and posts. Shippers can be the most passionate, brutal, emotional people out there, but despite the sometimes bad wrap they get–I’m proud to be one! (Oh, and Olicity for the on-screen-chemistry WIN)

Dean and Castiel all the way! Barely knew what shipping was until them, and very few couples can compete with them for my affections.

The chemistry got me hooked, but the romance is what puts them at the top of my list. No matter what happens, they always find their way back to each other, and just the way they look at each other makes me all gooey inside.

They make me laugh, cry, scream at the TV screen, and collapse in a puddle of tears or happy grins quite frequently. Just watching them has helped me through some really rough times.

It will never be the main element of the show, which is probably a good thing, but their relationship and interactions are one of the main things that keep me tuning in episode after episode.

I’m totally rooting for Arrow’s Oliver Queen & Felicity Smoak in this category. I think it’s mostly because I couldn’t find any love interest for Oliver to be with at all in its first season until Felicity showed up. So when they added her to season 2 full time I had to vote for them. If liking them, wanting them to wind up together, and just enjoying all their interactions and seeing their relationship grow as they work more together and grow closer makes me a “shipper” then yeah. I’m a shipper.

I am most definitely a shipper and have been for 10+ years, however, there has never been a pairing I’ve been more passionate about in all those years than Dean and Castiel from Supernatural. Not only is the unmatched chemistry between the actors a huge part of the appeal, but the characters’ story together is so compelling and beautiful, and the parallels between their individual stories make them absolutely perfect for each other. I, and MANY others, are so completely invested in their story, and truly hope that the show gives us the satisfactory ending of having them get together. I will definitely fight the hardest for Dean and Castiel to see that happen.

Definitely a shipper for Beauty and the Beast’s VinCat! They have fantastic on screen chemistry and seem to get along very well off screen too! Beasties are in the situation of having an epic romance put on hold due to Vincent’s memory being erased. Great anticipation each episode to see what he remembers and when their relationship gets back to where we left it at the end of season 1. I’m expecting it to be bigger and better ….

I’m definitely a shipper. I first discovered I was during the Dawson’s Creek days…I wanted Pacey and Joey together more than anything. Nowadays, Dean and Castiel from Supernatural is the ship I sail. It’s the first male/male ship I’ve ever supported, which is cool, but I’ve never shipped anything based on sexuality… I ship when I feel chemistry and potential. And they have it!

Chemistry like that Dean and Castiel’s is rare, and if the writers of Supernatural don’t take advantage of the gold in their hands, it would be such a huge waste. There’s so much potential there. :)